Web Development with RAP for RCP Developers

(2 Days)

This course will teach you everything you need to use the Eclipse Rich Ajax Platform (RAP) for developing web applications.

RAP is "RCP for the web". It provides a web-enabled implementation of SWT, Jface and the Workbench. This allows Eclipse / RCP developers to build rich browser-based applications written in Java, without having to learn a big stack of new technologies.

This course tailored for developers with a good knowledge of Eclipse RCP, who want to use the Rich Ajax Platform to kick-start their web development efforts. Special focus will be given on techniques for porting existing RCP applications to RAP and for creating a shared code base between both applications.

All our instructors are directly involved in the RAP project as committers or work on commercial applications that use RAP. This course gives you the opportunity to learn from their experience. The hands-on focus and the small class format (max. 6-8 participants) ensures that you'll gain a broad understanding of Eclipse RAP and get plenty of individual support from our experts.

Course Goals

Understand the most common concepts Eclipse Rich Ajax Platform (RAP)
Become ready to apply this knowledge to your wed-development needs
Become familiar best practices developing RAP development
Special focus will be given on: the differences between RCP and RAP; porting existing RCP applications to RAP; creating a shared code base for RAP and RCP

Target Audience

The training is targeted at experienced Eclipse RCP developers who would like to benefit from Eclipse's Rich Ajax Platform (RAP) for the development of general web applications

Prerequisites

Strong knowledge of Java and object-oriented programming
Experience in developing Eclipse plug-ins or an RCP application
Basic knowledge of design patterns and XML

Introduction to RAP

Brief history of RAP
Types of applications where RAP can be used
Advantages of using RAP for business applications
Comparison of RAP to RCP
Migrating the RCP Mail Example

Getting Started

IEntryPoint as the main RAP starting point
Creating an empty RAP application
Launching the application

Introduction to RWT

RWT history and concepts
RWT widgets
Layout managers
Working with events and listeners
Special widgets (Menus, Toolbar)
Overview of JFace (Dialogs and Viewers)
Differences between RCP and RAP UI development

Server-Side Scopes

Learn about the different scopes (request-, session-, application-scope) available withing a RAP application
Using the RWT class to get access to life cycle management, session- and service-stores
Using the SessionSingletonBase to create session aware Singletons

Workbench

The Workbench - Eclipse's UI Metaphor
Windowing: Window, Menu, Page, Perspective, View, Editor
Workbench advisor classes
Workbench life-cycle
Creating workbench elements

Architectural Overview

Internal architecture of a RAP application (servlet container, OSGi, plug-ins, extension points)

Extending the RAP Platform Runtime

Creating contributions and accessing the extension registry
RAP applications as a structured system of extension points and contributions

RWT Custom Controls

Writing your own RWT custom widget in Java
Registering your own java-script for client-side widget representation
Writing your own widget adapter to synchronize the server and client states of the widget

Deployment of RAP applications

Features and Fragments
Deployment options (Jetty vs WAR)
War Archive Creation

UI customization

Theming
Branding
Custom window contents

RCP to RAP migration

Migration experiences and best practices
Common problems and how to solve them
How to structure your plug-ins for single sourcing

Experiences and Best Practices

RAP best practices
Common pitfalls
Functional and Load Testing
Performance Optimizations

Provided Training Materials

Personalized Training Handbook
CD / download with application platform and solutions to all exercises (source code)

Additional Information

Course Duration: two days
Course format: instructor led with at least 50% hands-on labs and tutorials
Learn better in a small group: we guarantee a maximum number of 6-8 participants per class
Participants must bring their own laptop with an up-to-date installation of Eclipse

Course Language

Classes at US locations are held in English. Classes in Germany are held in German. Further languages are available upon request.

Pricing

Pricing varies by location. Please refer to the registration forms below for details.

Registration and Contact

Course Schedule USA

October 20-21 2008, Portland, OR, USA

Course Schedule Germany

Unanswered questions? No matching dates? Prefer a training at your office?

We look forward to hearing from you:

North America:
Elias Volanakis
(+1) 503-552-1457
evolanakis(at)innoopract.com

Europe:
Michaela Unser
(+49) 721 664733 0
munser(at)innoopract.com

Services